Free movement guiding installation

ABSTRACT

A free movement guiding installation for training horses is provided which comprises a circular longeing path. This is limited on the inside and outside with a fence or a wall. A design with supports serves for supporting a roof. In the region of the longeing path, suspensions are arranged hanging down on supports. On the suspensions there are located support wheels, which carry and guide a revolving profile ring. A drive motor acts on the profile ring via a drive wheel and drives this. Guide gratings are hangingly attached on the profile ring at regular distances.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a free movement guiding installation for training horses on a circular longeing path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Free movement guiding installations for training horses which, covered over, are assembled on an open field or in a type of hall are known in the art. Such installations include a circular longeing path which is also called a hoof track. Instead of being led by persons on a line, horses are guided through a device on this longeing path. This device, as with a carrousel, consists of a hub-spoke construction which comprises support arms projecting radially outwards from a rotational center. A guide grating hangs downwards on each support arm at its radial outer region. Each guide grating is provided with rubber flaps which are fastened to its lower edge and hang freely downwards.

[0003] The hub-spoke construction consists of a stable support design of metal which is rotatably mounted centrally on a column. The column may be fastened in a standing manner on or in the ground, or in a hall, in particular a round hall, centrally suspended on the roof construction. The hub-spoke construction comprises a central drive ring concentric to the rotatable mounting. This drive ring is driven by an electric motor by way of friction coupling, thus by way of a friction wheel. The electric motors are controllable in their speed and rotational direction. With this, the complete hub-spoke construction is driven, accelerated, braked and also changed in rotational direction. The horses in a horse guiding region must run around between, in each case, two neighboring guide gratings on the longeing path according to a predetermined speed. The guide gratings may be electrically charged so that the horses by stopping do not attempt to reduce the speed of the whole installation by braking by using their bodies. These installations have a great weight so that the hub-spoke design is sufficiently stable. This hub-spoke design basically is equal to the design of a carrousel or an enormously over-dimensioned umbrella. Therefore, one may not subsequently attach any additional guide gratings in order to provide a larger number of horse guiding regions.

[0004] Since the drive is effected via the inner concentric ring, the circumferential speed at the drive is very slow. On account of the very large lever arms of the support arms on the outer circumference, the circumferential speed is much greater in the region of the guide gratings and the longeing path. This demands a very exact control and a greatly dimensioned electric motor, and a suitable loading of the friction coupling. The complete rotatable mounting must likewise stand up to the great weight and the large torques which in turn makes the whole design more complex and heavy. Due to this, there in turn arise moments of inertia, in particular on acceleration and deceleration, which likewise load the whole design. Such a free movement guiding installation is taught in German patent DE 28 52 777 A1.

[0005] German patent DE 19746562 shows another design of a free movement guiding installation for training horses with a circular longeing path. This design is limited on the inside and outside with, in each case, a fence or a wall and is covered over with a design with supports for supporting a roof. In the region of the longeing path there is arranged on the support a support design hanging down. At the lower end of the support design, on both sides, there is attached one support wheel. The support wheels are at an angle to one another and engage obliquely downwards onto a revolving profile ring. The support wheels, on account of their arrangement, may assume a guiding function as well as a support function for the revolving profile ring. A drive motor acts on the profile ring via a drive wheel and drives this. At regular distances on the profile ring, guide gratings are suspendingly attached. This system has severe dynamic problems due to the size and mass of the profile ring. These problems manifest themselves in the production of noise, shakings and the rough running of the free movement guiding installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a free movement guiding installation for training horses on a circular longeing path, which does not have the disadvantages discussed above. The inventive device reduces, or alleviates, the occurring dynamic problems. Noise conditions, shakings and rough running are improved.

[0007] The inventive free movement guiding installation comprises a number of guide gratings which are suspended on a motorically drivable profile ring, revolve in the region of the circular longeing path and are each distanced to one another, wherein the intermediate space between two neighboring guide gratings forms a horse guiding region, and wherein the profile ring is movably held on supports over the circular longeing path by way of a suspension which comprises a frame element with support wheels for the profile ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The free movement guiding installation according to the invention is hereinafter described in combination with the drawings.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic arrangement seen from above.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a first variant of the inventive suspension, guiding, drive and guide gratings in projection.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows the suspension, guiding, drive and guide grating in a projection, in a further embodiment with a drive.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows the suspension, guiding, drive and guide grating in a projection, in a further embodiment with a drive.

[0013]FIG. 5 shows the suspension, guiding, drive and guide grating in a projection, in a further embodiment with a drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The inventive free movement horse guiding installation has at the location of a star-shaped rotatable carrousel designed as a motorically drivable horse guidance system, a light profile ring which revolves only in the region of the longeing path, forms a complete circle, carries the guide gratings and moves around. The profile ring is at the same time carried and guided by support and guide rollers, and driven only for revolving motion. Thus the drive for the revolving motion of the guide gratings may likewise itself be arranged in the region of the longeing path, which considerably improves the speed control, and forwards, backwards, reversing of the revolving speed, since no great lever arms are present between the drive and the driven guide gratings. Horses to be trained may no longer bring the installation to a standstill so easily. Additionally, the whole design is decisively lighter which in turn effects the design of the roof of the hall. A decisive advantage also lies in the fact that at any time one may assemble additional guide gratings or remove these in order to change the number of horse guiding regions. For this one does not need to make any changes to the construction. Instead of a very simple and sufficient wheel drive, other known drives may also be employed.

[0015] In FIG. 1 there is shown a view from above of the revolving profile ring 3 with a number of guide gratings 2. The revolving profile ring 3 forms a complete circle which is also located in the region of the circular longeing path 1. In the embodiment shown, the complete circle of the revolving profile 3 is selected such that it is located roughly in the middle of the longeing path 1 above this. In this manner, the suspension of the guide gratings 2 may be carried out in the simplest and most economical manner. From FIG. 3 it is clearly evident that the suspension 6 is approximately uniformly distributed over the circumference of the circle of the profile ring 3. This guarantees that the profile ring may run around without problem, uniformly guided and carried on the support wheels 51. A number of guiding grids 2 are arranged hanging downwards on the profile ring 3 distributed at regular distances over the circumference. Between, in each case, two neighboring guide gratings there is located a horse guiding region for a horse P. On one of the suspensions 6 there is located a drive roller 53 for driving the profile ring 3. This is actively connected to the drive motor 52.

[0016] In FIGS. 2 to 5 there are shown views of the suspension, guiding, drive and guide gratings. A circular longeing path 1 is provided on the inside and outside with a fence 11, 12 or a wall. It is covered over with a design 4 with supports 42 for supporting a roof 44. In the region of the longeing path 1, on supports 42, a suspension 6 is arranged hanging down. At the lower end of the suspension 6, on both sides, there is in each case mounted one support wheel 51. The support wheels 51 are at an angle to one another and from obliquely below engage on a profile ring 3. This profile ring here is shown in cross section. The support wheels 51 may thus, on account of their arrangement, assume a guiding function as well as a support function for the revolving profile ring 3. One of the support wheels 51 shown in FIG. 3 is directly drivingly connected to a drive motor 52 which likewise is fastened on the suspension, and serves as a drive wheel 53 of a friction wheel drive. In order to ensure a secure frictional engagement between the drive wheel and the revolving 82000.2006 4 profile ring, and simultaneously to prevent any shaking, a loosely running counter pressure roller may be arranged opposite the drive wheel. Another variant of the drive is effected according to FIG. 2 above a drive wheel 53 resting above on the profile ring 3. This has the advantage that the profile ring 3 may be pressed against the support wheels with this drive wheel, where appropriate, backed up in a resilient manner, in order to increase the friction of the frictional engagement. The support wheels 51 thus act as counter-pressing rollers. A further advantage of this drive lies in the fact that the diameter of the drive wheel 54 of the drive may be additionally optimized with regard to the rotational speed range of the motor. The support wheels may be of metal, plastic and/or hard rubber. With the use of support wheels of metal an oscillation-damping inlay or spacer, as for example is known with ski lifts, may act in a noise-damping manner. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the revolving profile ring 3 consists of an upper round rod 31 and a lower round rod 32 which are rigidly connected to one another by way of uniformly arranged webs 33. The profile ring 3 may of course be a T-profile or double T-profile. According to FIG. 2 the profile ring consists of a single round rod 31 on which tabs 34 are attached hanging down for fastening the guide gratings. One then, however, requires separate support wheels for the support function and the guiding function. This however is not the case when the profile has inclined flanks. A guide grating is hangingly fastened on the lower round rod 32. This fastening may be carried out, for example, by way of chains 21′ (FIG. 2) or a support rod 21 (FIG. 3). Below on the guide grating there are arranged rubber flaps 22 which hang downwards. The guide gratings 2 may be arranged rigidly or attached freely hanging on the profile ring 3. An electrically insulated fastening is recommended since the complete guide grating may then be simply electrically charged with a cattle guard.

[0017] In the case that a free-standing installation without roofing is considered, the support design 4 is then correspondingly lighter since no roof needs to be carried. Angular or bent supports 43 which are fastened to one or two supports 13, 14 within or outside the longeing path or on the ground are then sufficient. With this the suspensions 6 are arranged on the bent support 43. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] The suspensions 6 then have the object of swingingly suspending the guide wheels 51 and in any case also the drive motor 52 with the drive wheel 53 so that irregularities in the profile ring 3 are compensated on running. With a simple arrangement according to FIG. 4, the running wheels are arranged in a frame element 64. The frame element 64 has an extension to the top. A first linkage 62 is located at a distance to the running wheels towards the top. At the linkage 62 the frame element 64 is pivotably attached to a support lever 63. Running wheels 51 and the frame element 64 are connected to the support 42 by way of the support lever 63. This connection is preferably also designed pivotable with a second linkage 61. The first and second linkage 62, 61 may be formed of a bolt which is mounted in a through-bore. According to the loading, an application of ball bearings or slide bearings is suitable in order to keep wear to a minimum. A shock absorber 65 may be present between the frame element 64, 64′ (FIG. 2) and the support 42. It prevents and brakes excess lateral movements of the profile ring 3 and improves the oscillation behavior by damping the movement of the frame element 64, 64′.

[0019] It is evident that this suspension 6 in combination with the drive motor 52 together with the drive wheel 53 must be designed stronger. For this, the frame element 64 for accommodating the drive as a frame element 64′ is suitably configured and designed more strongly. Likewise the fastening on support 42 may be supplemented with a suitable support reinforcement 42′ as shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] With a free movement guiding installation according to FIG. 2, the suspension 6 is advantageously designed with two equal support levers 63. These are located at a distance to one another and are connected to one another by way of a connection lever 66 via first drag bearing 62. The frame elements 64, 64′ are at the same time fastened to this lever 66. The advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that the supports may be dimensioned lighter since the forces are arranged closer to supports 13, 14. Here too a shock absorber may improve the running behavior.

[0021] In FIG. 5 there is shown a further embodiment of the suspension 6. In contrast to the previously described embodiment, the function of the support lever is assumed via a pull cable 67. The pull cable 67 is fastened to the support 42 and to the frame element 64 at the linkages 61 and 62. The pull cable may be formed of steel cable, chain or other suitable materials. The frame element 64 with the support wheels 51 is now suspended diagonally outwardly upwards with a diagonal bracing. By way of the fact that the supports 42 are arranged at regular distances on the circumference of the free movement guiding installation, the frame elements 64 with the support wheels 51 are also distributed regularly. By way of this, the profile ring 3 by way of the support wheels and the frame elements 64 are pulled outwardly and upwards by way of the diagonal bracing and by way of this even held concentrically at a uniform height over the longeing path 1. Irregularities of the profile ring 3 and in the course of the profile ring 3 are automatically compensated alone in a system-immanent manner. The suspension system 6 likewise independently dampens the movements. The frame element for this type of suspension 6 is likewise designed such that the support wheels 51 are located balanced in the correct position in order to be able to correctly support and guide the profile ring 31. For this the first linkage 62 may be arranged on the frame element 64 as shown outside the center.

[0022] Further improvements, particularly with regard to the clattering, may be achieved by inlaying a layer of rubber or other elastic material into the support wheels. For this also rims floating on springs may serve as running surfaces on the support wheels. 

I claim:
 1. A free movement guiding installation for training horses on a circular longeing path, comprising a number of guide gratings which are suspended on a motorically drivable profile ring, revolve in the region of the circular longeing path and are each distanced to one another, wherein the intermediate space between two neighboring guide gratings forms a horse guiding region, and wherein the profile ring is movably held on supports over the circular longeing path by way of a suspension which comprises a frame element with support wheels for the profile ring.
 2. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 1, wherein the frame element comprises a motor and a drive wheel.
 3. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 2, wherein the profile ring comprises a round rod which is arranged below the profile ring and on which the guide gratings are fastened.
 4. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 1, wherein the suspension comprises a support lever which is pivotably arranged at a first linkage on the frame element and at a second linkage on the support.
 5. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 1, wherein the suspension comprises two support levers which with first linkages are pivotably arranged on a connection lever and with second linkages are pivotably arranged on the support, wherein the frame element is fastened to the connection lever.
 6. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 4, wherein a shock absorber is present between the frame element and the support lever.
 7. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 1, wherein the suspension comprises a pull cable by way of which the frame element is tensioned to the support.
 8. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 7, wherein the suspensions are arranged regularly distributed on the circumference of the longeing path so that the pull cables form a diagonal bracing for supporting and guiding the profile ring.
 9. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 1, wherein the support wheels are provided with a layer of elastic material.
 10. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 1, wherein the support wheels have rims floating on spring elements.
 11. A free movement guiding installation according to claim 2, wherein a loosely running counter-pressure roller is arranged lying opposite the drive wheel and pressing the profile ring against the drive wheel 